General Information

Serial #

N/A

Part Number

1

Total Parts

5

AKA

Stand

Patents

N/A

General Description

.1-.2 stands are all metal (possibly aluminum & steel); .3-.4 backgrounds are combination of fabric and synthetic materials, secured at top edge to wooden frame, and suspended from metal wire hanger. .3-.4 wrapped in heavy plastic; stored in hardbody synthetic (resin ?) case.

Dimensions

Note: These reflect the general size for storage and are not necessarily representative of the object's true dimensions.

Length

143.0 cm

Width

19.5 cm

Height

19.5 cm

Thickness

N/A

Weight

N/A

Diameter

N/A

Volume

N/A

Lexicon

Group

Photography

Category

Studio & set equipment

Sub-Category

N/A

Manufacturer

AKA

Saltzman

Country

United States of America

State/Province

New York

City

New York

Context

Country

United States of America

State/Province

New York

Period

Karsh's New York studio operated late 1940’s to early 1990’s. Not used after 1992.

Canada

Part of a large collection of photographic equipment used by Yousuf Karsh, Canada's internationally honoured portrait photographer. From 1932 to 1992, Mr. Karsh operated from his principle studio in Ottawa. He also maintained studios in NYC and London, England. In 1999 Mr. Karsh was named one of the 100 most influential people of the century. His prints and negatives, and personal papers are in the national archives.

Function

Used to affix a backdrop for portrait photography.

Technical

These background units were used by Karsh as neutral fields in his standard set-up. The backgrounds (.3-.4) themselves were probably designed and constructed by Karsh/his assistants. The largest was placed directly behind the subject, the smaller off to one side. A small light was placed between the two or directly behind the subject, to illuminate the background, and separate it from the subject. Karsh used virtually identical backgrounds in his Ottawa studio (see 870317). He also had a large revolving wooden backdrop in his Chateau Laurier studio: this was dismantled and disposed of in 1992. (see ref.1, jerry fielder notes)

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

.1 Mfr's plate on tripod reads " J.G. SALTZMAN, Inc./ CAESAR MANUFACTURING, INC./ SERIAL NO./ [blank]/ PAT. PEND./ NEW YORK "./.2 stand bears decal reading " PIC/ AMERICAN PHOTOGRAOHIC/ INSTRUMENT CO. INC./ BRONX, NEW YORK/ MODEL NO. 4711 "./.3-.4 no markings/ PT case lid bears 'British Airways' baggage label, and a 'Corcorde' tag among others.

Missing

None.

Finish

.1-.2 Silver metal stands. .3 Large background has pebbled brown synthetic surface on one side, woven textured flat white fabric (?) on reverse. Mounted on wooden dowel painted dark brown. .4 Smaller background has dark brown woven fabric face, shiny white woven textured synthetic back. Mounted on wooden dowel painted dark brown. .3-.4 Wrapped in heavy black plastic. Pt case is black; secured with woven black fabric straps.

Decoration

N/A